Disclaimer: All belongs to the great and powerful Mouse.

Summary: The Force moves in mysterious ways and all are bound to its ultimate will, especially the Jedi.

A/N: Sorry! I know it's been forever since I've updated and I truly apologize. I knew this chapter would be delayed because of work, but as soon as I cleared that hurdle and ended up being rushed to the ER and spending the better part of a week in the hospital. That said, this chapter was actually already written at that time, but unlike the previous chapter, this ends in a more climatic way and I didn't want to leave you virtually "cliff-hanging" for so long. So here is chapter 21. Chapter 22 is not yet complete and I'm still recovering so it will likely be late, but I swear you won't have to wait as long this time.

A/N 2: Italics indicate emphasis, visions, personal thoughts and flashbacks. Context should illustrate which device is being used. / / indicates mindspeak.

Thanks:

Jewelie-Chan: Want to know what happens to Obi? Well, here you go... sorta...

Ninfea di Luna: Thank you! Don't worry, Qui-Gon is on the way!

Guest: I'm glad you like it so much! Thank you!

Francine: When is Obi not in danger?! What does Xanatos really want? And, yes, the Jedi Healer is almost there...

Annie Walker: Sorry for the delay. For a complete response see author's note above.

Please R&R!

Chapter 21 – Demands

Obi-Wan brought his borrowed speeder to a stop outside a place he had once hoped he would never return. Still, he didn't quite experience the sense of anxiety he had expected as he approached the mine entrance. Things were different now. The place that had been the literal stuff of his nightmares had actually been the catalyst that was going to make his dream, his only dream finally come true. Master Jinn had asked him to be his padawan. More than that, the master had nearly lost his life saving him. That's what Jedi did after all, save people. Master Jinn was doing his duty in investigating that man from Offworld, the man who had kidnapped him because the man thought Obi-Wan was already Master Jinn's padawan. And Master Jinn had come for him at great risk to himself and suffered for it. Obi-Wan had been able to give something back though—not saving the master's life, he was the cause of the man's jeopardy after all—no, Obi-Wan had found the crystal, the crystal Sair had told him would unravel the mystery of Offworld's operations on Bandomeer. That little rock that Obi-Wan had accidently discovered had in very short order become key to Master Jinn's investigatory efforts. Then it was stolen. Taken right out of an Agri Corps laboratory. Sair had told him of the theft, had explained the crystal's import to Jinn's work, and significance to Offworld's dealings. He did not need to speak with the Master Jedi to know what needed to be done. Obi-Wan was a padawan now, a Jedi. His duty to the investigation, to the Order, to his master was clear.

He had to go back. He had to get another crystal.

Obi-Wan lifted the nearly empty satchel he carried over one shoulder and fingered the holo-recorder in his trouser pocket. It was his hope that when he left this place the satchel would be full of more crystals for his master. He hoped for many, but he would settle for one.

Obi-Wan entered into the mine, his eyes moving in a constant and meticulous scan of the tunnel's interior. He would settle for one. Is that what Master Jinn had thought as well, that he would settle? Indeed, Obi-Wan was under no illusions that he was a prize padawan for the esteemed Master Qui-Gon Jinn to take on. Obi-Wan reached down and sifted through a pile of rubble with his fingers. In fact, the Jedi Master hadn't spoken at all to any worth he associated with taking him as an apprentice, only that he had to do it because of the bond they shared. Obi-Wan frowned as he let the bits of rock and earth fall loosely from his fingers. He had taken him because he felt he had to, because he was forced to.

Apparently, this was another thing duty demanded.

Obi-Wan walked further down the mining shaft. He knew he should be letting the Force guide his search as he had done before, though not intentionally, yet he couldn't bring himself to open up to it. Where once all he ever wanted was to feel the Force again, to be considered a Jedi again, now… now it felt… less, cheap, and undeserved. He wasn't wanted, only tolerated. Wasn't chosen, only accepted. Wasn't appreciated, only pitied.

But there was nothing for it, so Obi-Wan did his best to push it from his mind. He cleared his racing thoughts, pulled his awareness closer to his skin, and focused his attention on the few palm-sized rocks at his feet. He toed one of the larger rocks with his boot and a gleam caught his eye. He reached down and picked up the shabby bit of earth, turning it over in his hand and smiling. Perhaps he could prove his worth to his master after all.

Qui-Gon eased his speeder to a graceful halt as he came to the entrance of the main southern mine. He closed his eyes before debarking, stretching his awareness across the nascent bond he shared with his padawan. New as it was he couldn't hear the boy's thoughts and only had the barest of impressions of his feelings, which were more or less positive and pleasant at the moment. But the master could determine the child's location, his Force presence both a bright spark and shinning tether leading him to his apprentice. Qui-Gon's hand slid over an empty notch on his belt and again he let himself feel a pang of displeasure at his lightsaber's absence. With an exhale he let the feeling go and headed into the mouth of the mine. He traveled the tunnels at a steady pace, sure of his path and his destination, but as he drew deeper into the labyrinth a sense of wrongness struck him.

Supposedly, all of the Agri Corps was in danger due to the exponential build-up of municra gas, an odorless, invisible, and highly volatile emission, but Qui-Gon knew municra was detectable through the Force and here, deep within the mine, Qui-Gon could sense only trace amounts. He looked around the shafts more intently. The given reason for the danger aside, it was clear that the mining operation had been closed and rather hastily at that. Offworld and the other mining companies had evacuated their staff, but the question remained: why? Again, the simplest explanation seemed to be one of evidence. If Xanatos were intent on keeping his dealings here secret, the decimation of the entire mining complex would certainly accomplish that task. Qui-Gon continued to ponder the situation until a blast of surprise and fear traveled across the bond. Without thought, the master hurried his steps and in a matter of minutes he found himself rounding a corner and his gaze falling on the back of a kneeling figure.

"Padawan?"

"Master," Obi-Wan replied, but he did not turn around or rise from his position. Qui-Gon advanced slowly towards his apprentice.

"Are you injured?" he asked though he could feel no pain coming from the boy. Still, something about the child's stillness worried him.

"N-no," Obi-Wan stammered. "I found something, Master."

Qui-Gon kneeled beside his apprentice, his eyes focused on the small, square device nestled neatly between the wall and the rock floor. Obi-Wan's hands hovered above the device cradling the box's cover in a trembling grip. Qui-Gon viewed the box with an inaudible sigh and then turned his gaze to his slightly pale-faced padawan.

"Obi-Wan,"

"It's a bomb, isn't it?"

"Yes," the master answered calmly. Obi-Wan gave a brief nod, but otherwise he did not move.

"When will it go off?" he asked and Qui-Gon returned his gaze to the explosive. He examined it thoroughly with his eyes and with the Force before answering.

"There does appear to be a timing mechanism, however, there is no display so there is no way to determine the length of its countdown sequence. It is armed though, of that I am certain."

"Can you… um… disarm it?" Obi-Wan asked meekly. Qui-Gon allowed the corner of his mouth to quirk up in a small grin as he looked at his apprentice.

"I can," he answered. "In fact," Qui-Gon continued as he gently took the bomb's cover from Obi-Wan's hands. "We shall do it together, Padawan."

Qui-Gon watched, pleased to see some of the tension leech out of the boy's shoulders and a flutter of relief and awe drift across the bond. With patience and a steady hand, Qui-Gon led Obi-Wan through the defusal process until he was certain the device no longer posed a threat. Once neutralized, the master pocketed the inert explosive in his cloak only to find his padawan's questioning gaze upon him.

"Evidence," Qui-Gon supplied to Obi-Wan's unspoken question. At that his padawan grinned brightly and reached for the satchel that lay by his side.

"Sair told me the crystal you brought back was stolen, but I found a few more, Master. Now you have more evidence for your investigation," Obi-Wan beamed. Qui-Gon gave the boy a stern look.

"While I applaud your initiative, Padawan, it was dangerous and reckless for you to return here alone and further it was highly improper of you to do so while your master was in trance," Qui-Gon admonished gently. Still, the boy quelled under the mild rebuke. The master allowed his expression to warm slightly. "These are things you will learn when we formalize your apprenticeship, as for the rest… we shall on work on those things together. A padawan with no flaws has little need for a master," Qui-Gon smiled and Obi-Wan nodded his head.

"Yes, Master," the boy responded.

"Now, a moment if you would, Padawan," Qui-Gon said as he closed his eyes. He reached out with the Force searching the long and winding kilometers of tunnels for that particular touch of inorganicness that dotted the otherwise smooth currents of the Living Force. The master opened his eyes with a frown, his suspicions verified.

"Come, Padawan, we must leave," he said as he rose gracefully to his feet. Obi-Wan rose a bit more awkwardly a second later.

"But… what about your investigation?" Obi-Wan questioned even as he moved to follow the tall master. His master's brisk pace and long strides had him nearly running to keep up.

"That bomb you discovered is but one among a great many placed throughout this mine and, I suspect, all the others as well," Qui-Gon answered without slowing. Obi-Wan jogged a few steps to move beside his master.

"But why? If this is how Offworld makes it's money, then why blow it up?"

"That is a good question, Padawan. What do you think?" Qui-Gon asked without looking down. Through the bond he could feel Obi-Wan's focus narrowing as he considered the question put before him.

"Well," Obi-Wan started, "if Offworld was mining something it wasn't supposed to… destroying the mines could hide what it was doing… or if Offworld suddenly had to stop mining, but didn't want anyone else to do it either blowing up the mines would prevent competitors from mining them too."

"Both are reasonable conclusions, Padawan."

"But which is right, Master?"

"Both actually."

Master and Padawan came to a sudden halt as two figures stepped out of the shadows a few meters ahead of them. Qui-Gon pushed the disquieting realization of how effective Xanatos's ability to shield himself and others in the Force was to the back of his mind even as he took a clearly protective step in front of Obi-Wan. Xanatos gave the two a long, appraising look, though Obi-Wan was mostly obscured by the master's large frame.

"You both look well considering…"

"Considering when we last met you left us to die?" Qui-Gon finished for the younger man. For a moment, the raise of an elegant eyebrow was the only response.

"Is that what you really think, Master?"

"Master?" Obi-Wan repeated stepping slightly out from behind Qui-Gon. Xanatos looked to the boy and then back to the Master Jedi, an unreadable expression on his scarred face.

"You didn't tell him," Xanatos stated. It wasn't a question so Qui-Gon didn't answer it. "Well I suppose I shouldn't be surprised and… well, it no longer matters. Gyter," Xanatos said with a sideways glance to the Codru-ji beside him. The large caninoid stepped forward towards Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon stepped forward to meet him. Xanatos raised a hand stopping any further movement or immediate escalation.

"No need for all that," he said and then he turned his attention to Obi-Wan. "Give Gyter the bag, little Jedi."

"No," Obi-Wan answered calmly as he clutched the satchel closer to his side. Qui-Gon kept his attention on the Codru-ji even as he spoke to his apprentice.

"Padawan, hand him the bag."

"But, Master, the mission!"

"Do as I say, Padawan," Qui-Gon snapped. Instantly he could feel the sense of hurt and confusion roll over the bond before being pulled behind the boy's shields. Gyter kept his eyes on Qui-Gon though one of his hands reached out towards Obi-Wan. With one last glance at his master, Obi-Wan reluctantly placed the satchel in Gyter's large, paw like hand. With a snort, the Codru-ji stepped back beside his employer, passing him the bag. Xanatos peered inside, chuckled quietly to himself, and then closed it with what looked to Qui-Gon like a sad smile.

"Now what, Xanatos?"

"Hmm?" the younger man answered distractedly as if the Master Jedi had interrupted a deep meditation. Qui-Gon placed his hands in the sleeves of his cloak.

"You have the crystals now and the means for a quick departure, yet you linger."

"My business on Bandomeer isn't complete," Xanatos replied. With a small sigh he shouldered Obi-Wan's bag and pulled out his lightsaber, igniting it in one smooth stroke. Gyter unholstered dual blasters and Qui-Gon's hand twitched, fighting the urge to reach for a weapon he knew was not there. Qui-Gon stared Xanatos in the eye.

"I thought you were a business man and not a criminal," he intoned. Xanatos returned his gaze with a sense of unmistakable resolve and something else… something Qui-Gon couldn't quite identify. Regret? Before Qui-Gon could consider it further, Xanatos shifted in his stance, his blue eyes now hard and cold.

"I am what you made me, Master Jinn. Always what you made me," he said then he raised his lightsaber into a striking position. "And now it's time to conclude my business on Bandomeer."